Fulbright Scholar Carter Janse plans to teach English and computer coding in Spain

Recent Clemson University graduate Carter Janse has won a Fulbright Scholarship and is headed to Valencia, Spain, where he plans to teach English and help students get excited about STEM.

Janse said he will combine his computer science background, teaching experience and Spanish proficiency to teach basic programming skills to Valencian students.

“I think it’s going to be an awesome opportunity for networking and learning about different opportunities,” he said. “Being able to communicate effectively and being able to collaborate are essential skills in computer science. I’m excited that I am going to be able to strengthen those skills while also maintaining my technical skills.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and its 140 participating countries. The selection process is highly competitive, and those who are chosen are recognized as ambassadors, fostering international understanding and cultural exchange.

The Fulbright trip will be a return to Valencia for Janse, who worked last summer as a research assistant for the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

Janse, who is from Greenville, graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in computer science and a minor in Spanish. He graduated from Clemson in three years, thanks to college credit he earned while still a student at the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

He chose Clemson for the strength of its computing and engineering programs and for its in-state tuition.

And Clemson orange runs in his blood. His grandfather, the late J. Edwin Clark, was a civil engineering professor who was known as a well-respected educator, transportation researcher and public servant, helping launch his students’ careers and supporting them after they graduated.

While a Clemson student, Janse was in the Honors College, served as president of the Spanish Club and worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the School of Computing. He was also in the Asian Student Association and volunteered as a conversation partner for international students, giving them a chance to practice English with him.

Janse said that in his time at Clemson, School of Computing principal lecturer and undergraduate program coordinator Chirstopher Plaue was most influential to him. Janse took a class with Plaue in his freshman year and later worked as a teaching assistant under him.

“Dr. Plaue offered me a lot of opportunities to develop my teaching and leadership skills through being his TA for a year and a half,” Janse said.

Janse said he was also grateful to the Office of Major Fellowships for its support.

After his Fulbright rotation, Janse plans to launch his career. He is interested in front-end design to make user experiences more enjoyable and working with data.